Volume One, Chapter 156: The Big Shots Always Make Their Entrance at the End

At eight o’clock in the evening, the banquet hall of the Lou family’s ancestral residence was filled with joyous laughter. Lou Jing, following closely beside the elderly Master Lou, skillfully greeted the guests. Ming Qing glanced back and asked his grandfather, Old Master Ming, “What exactly does Grandfather Lou mean? Why did he bring that illegitimate son home? Isn’t this a direct challenge—”

Catching the sidelong glance from Old Master Ming, Ming Qing paused and muttered under his breath, “It was bound to happen anyway.”

The banquet had been underway for half an hour, yet Lou Ye had not made an appearance. The thought that Lou Ye was still unaware, while after tonight Lou Jing would have made his debut in the imperial capital’s elite circles, made Ming Qing both angry and anxious.

His sharp eyes caught sight of the butler hurrying over to Old Master Lou to whisper something. Old Master Lou and Lou Jing exchanged a glance, both breaking into pleased smiles. Ming Qing’s heart raced; instinctively, he looked toward the main entrance.

Just then, Sang Wan appeared, walking slowly forward.

???

Why was Sang Wan here?

Ming Qing was astonished. Apart from the Lou family members themselves, the only guests present tonight were longtime friends of the Lou family—families like the Mings and Qins, with decades of connection.

Any discerning person would immediately understand: Old Master Lou was paving the way for Lou Jing.

But why would Sang Wan be here at such a crucial occasion?

Amidst the curious and puzzled gazes, Sang Wan approached Old Master Lou directly. The old man’s eyes gleamed with a knowing smile. “A wise man knows the times—indeed, I did not misjudge you!”

Beside him, Lou Jing’s face darkened; his smile was on the verge of collapse.

He had imagined what he would choose if he were Sang Wan.

Seizing the opportunity given by Old Master Lou promised imminent wealth and success.

But if he chose Lou Ye instead, there was a chance to become Mrs. Lou, though the path was fraught with both opportunity and risk.

No matter how one looked at it, the former choice seemed far more advantageous.

But if Sang Wan truly chose the latter, then Lou Jing’s defeat was inevitable.

He had spent the entire day praying for heaven to still favor him this once, hoping Sang Wan would be more love-struck and cling to Lou Ye without letting go.

Yet Lou Jing had never expected that this time, fate would side with Lou Ye.

His gaze dark and venomous as he watched Sang Wan, Lou Jing’s bitterness seeped out.

“Ladies and gentlemen…”

Had it not been for waiting for Sang Wan, he would have announced it at the start of the banquet at 7:30.

Although half an hour late, everything proceeded according to his plan as Old Master Lou raised his voice: “Today, the Lou family can be said to be doubly blessed…”

Lou Jing stood to his left.

Sang Wan stood to his right.

Combined with Old Master Lou’s words, the guests began to speculate quietly.

---

Before Old Master Lou could continue, a cold, clear voice echoed from outside the main entrance: “Hold on…”

Recognizing the voice, Old Master Lou’s expression changed.

“Master Lou has arrived!”

“I knew it—felt like someone was missing. Turns out it was him!”

“Isn’t it said that the big players always make a grand entrance? The old man’s prestige is still there, but well… he’s getting old now…”

“…”

Amidst the murmurs, the first thing to appear at the gate was a wheelchair.

When the figure in the wheelchair became clear, the whispers abruptly ceased, as if a mute button had been pressed.

Pale and frail-looking, yet his cold and sharp gaze pierced through from beneath indifferent brows, like a deathly presence.

It was Lou Yue, the eldest son of the Lou family who had rarely appeared in public these past years.

Everyone had assumed he had given up on life, waiting for death, but unexpectedly, his demeanor and bearing remained unchanged.

The rumors were false.

Behind him, pushing the wheelchair, was Lou Ye.

The two brothers had long been rumored to be at odds.

Even the accident years ago was speculated by some to have been orchestrated by Lou Ye.

After all, Lou Yue had lost his inheritance and control of the family business; only Lou Ye had benefited.

Yet now, the two siblings arrived together, hand in hand, disproving the gossip effortlessly.

Only at this moment did everyone realize that the brothers not only shared striking resemblance in features but also exuded a remarkably similar aura.

Even seated in the wheelchair, Lou Yue bore no trace of shame. When he slightly raised his eyes to survey the crowd, his cold, commanding presence was even more intense than before.

“Uncles and elders, long time no see!” Lou Yue nodded slightly in greeting. The guests responded awkwardly.

Lou Yue seemed to ignore them, turning back to Lou Ye. “Alright, you get on with your business! I’ll talk with you and sister-in-law later!”

“Sure!” Lou Ye replied, extending his hand. “Sang Wan, come over…”

Sang Wan stepped forward slowly.

The hall fell even quieter.

Partly stirred by Lou Yue’s use of the term “sister-in-law.”

And partly by Lou Ye’s calling Sang Wan by name.

Watching Sang Wan approach, Lou Ye wrapped an arm around her waist, and the two, oblivious to others, carried their champagne glasses to the window to admire the snow.

The guests looked at one another, then all turned their gaze to the glowering Old Master Lou.

Only now did they realize the true nature of tonight’s banquet.

The younger generation had already taken control.

---

The elders were unwilling to relinquish power.

The illegitimate son, once dismissed and sidelined, had become the spark igniting this battle for dominance.

No one had expected Lou Yue to appear.

“Guards!” Lou Yue’s cold voice cut sharply through the confusion.

Before anyone could voice their doubts or questions, the sound of footsteps echoed as two squads of black-clad bodyguards entered the hall.

Outside, two more men stood with rifles slung over their shoulders.

No one knew how many more awaited in the courtyard.

“You… Lou Yue, what are you doing?” Old Master Lou exclaimed in shock.

The black-clad guards swiftly approached Lou Jing, restraining him from both sides and dragging him toward the exit.

“Grandfather, grand…” Lou Jing’s cries for help were cut short by the snap of his restraint as he was forcibly removed from the banquet hall.

Everything happened in an instant.

A low hum filled the air.

Lou Yue maneuvered his electric wheelchair to Old Master Lou’s side. “Grandfather, when my father died on the spot and my mother was barely clinging to life, you promised the Lou family that you would never let Chen Jing take the Lou surname, that he would recognize his ancestry and return to the Lou family.”

His gaze swept over those who had been present all those years ago, watching as their eyes dodged his, then turned back to Old Master Lou. “It’s only been five years. Have you already forgotten?”

Old Master Lou’s face darkened, his cloudy eyes fixed intently on Lou Yue. “Back then, it was to save your mother, hoping she would survive! If I had known it would come to this…”

“Grandfather, be careful with your words!” Lou Yue’s voice was grave. “There are gods three feet above your head. You may be old, but you should still weigh your words carefully. Don’t you agree?”

“You…”

Everything had been anticipated, yet he never expected that the situation would spiral out of control so suddenly, nor that his once most dutiful and obedient eldest grandson would now bare his fangs at him.

Veins bulged on Old Master Lou’s hand gripping his dragon-headed cane.

Lou Yue showed no fear and smiled warmly. “Grandfather, you are old.”

Glancing around, those who had promised to support him and help Lou Jing rise now avoided his gaze.

Old Master Ming, a longtime friend, shook his head in silent warning to stop.

Old Master Lou exhaled deeply, instantly seeming several years older.

Lou Yue then turned and called out, “Ye…”